Extreme weather conditions and concern for public safety has forced the cancellation of Dunfermline Comic Con, in Scotland. The park, which was serving as venue to the event, was deemed unsafe and that even a dramatic change in weather would not allow enough time to make things safe.

"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we have to inform you that Dunfermline Comic Con this weekend has been cancelled.

At 11:30 this morning the parks department assessed Pittencrieff Park and deemed it as unsafe for the public. Furthermore with the priorities for roads and paths elsewhere even a dramatic change in the weather will not allow for them to make it safe in time.

Dunfermline Comic-Con is a family event, and this occasion and the Books For Schools Charity it supports are our life passion. It is crushing to us that the last 9 months planning and organization has been scuppered by a freak weather event. (The first red warning in Scottish history)

I realise that some of you will have planned and paid for tickets for this weekend and we apologise. Rest assured we will make sure you are refunded for the tickets. This will not be immediate as we will have to find the money personally. The ticket monies were used for the costs so far (deposits, flights, hotels, advertising, programmes etc.) and the Books For Schools Charity.

If you have purchased a ticket and left us your email address, you will have already received a personal message from us.

To say we are devastated emotionally and financially would not be an overstatement. I reiterate. You will be refunded. Please bear with us.

Dunfermline Comic Con."

Despite the understandable lack of notice, there was an outpouring of kindness from would-be convention goers and the general public. People set to attend Dunfermline Comic Con commented on the social media update, wishing the store and convention luck. Some even waiving their refunds as the store, Little Shop of Heroes, stated that the refund money would be coming out of their pockets personally.

After a slew of people suggested that the comic book store create a GoFundMe campaign to help cover costs, that's just what happens as organised by Visit Dunfermline. At the time of writing, the campaign had raised £4,567 of the £20,000 goal, raised by 182 people in 8 hours.

When asked for thoughts on the matter, Cecil Castellucci; writer of Shade the Changing Girl and Dunfermline Comic Con guest, weighed in:

"Very bummed about the freak weather storm causing the disruption and cancellation of the fest. I was very much looking forward to being there. I hope people will give to Lil Shop of Heroes to help cover the costs that they are losing on this. It’s so vital to our industry to have passionate advocates for comics and who bring creators and fans together. I have made a commitment to them to come back through on my next Europe trip to make up for that we have no control over: the weather and Mother Earth. I am currently stranded in Dublin until Monday!"

John Allison; writer of Giant Days and also a Dunfermline Comic Con guest, said:

"Dunfermline Comic Con is a "comic-con" that understands both comics as an art form, and the community it’s a part of - which is all too rare in the UK. It’s run with love and care. I feel very badly for them and hope the event will be back next year - it deserves to be."

Speaking of guests, Dunfermline Comic Con definitely pulled no punches when grabbing the cream of the crop comic book greats and up-and-comers.

The convention was set to hold numerous panels and workshops touching on a plethora of topics and interests. As if that wasn't enough, Dunfermline Comic Con had arranged for a cosplay competition to take place, this year sponsored by Cex Dunfermline, Sew Yarn Crafty and Little Shop of Heroes. With three categories: 'Age 12 and under', 'adults' and 'groups', 2018's cosplay competition was to be held in a separate accessible-to-all "performance" space so cosplayers would be able "to showcase their skills during the event". The competition would follow the traditional cosplay parade (weather permitting) led by the fantastic Rebel Legion. A surprise special guest judge was originally planned to be announced on the day.